Water conditioning systme



Dec. 8, 1942.

A. GUDMUNDSEN WATER "CONDITIONING SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Shbet l Filed Jan. 25, 1941 Jami? A 1157227 fiumunda n Dec. 8, 1942. A.'GUDMUNDSEN 2,304

WATER CONDITIONING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 25, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 q l r nwa 01 A1152??? gudmmdspn 3 I 'v mm.

Patented Dec. 8, 1942 WATER CONDITIONING SYSTEM Austin Gudmundsen, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Gudmundsen-Stratton-Laboratories, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application January 25, 1941, Serial No. 375,940

16 Claims.

This invention relates to water conditioners and refers particularly to water softeners for use with washing machines of the automatic home laundry type.

Such home laundry machines are provided with time-controlled instrumentalities which function to operate the machine automatically through a number of successive work periods constituting a complete wash cycle. The operation of most such automatic home laundry machines, therefore, is so controlled that filling the machine with water, agitating the clothes receptacle, draining of the machine, rinsing, spin-drying, etc., are carried out automatically and sequentially at the dictation of timing means.

At the end of the wash cycle, the machine is also shut down automatically by means of the timing means.

At the present time, there are a number of different types of automatic home laundry machines on the market, the operations of which are controlled electrically, or mechanically by means of cams.

While such automatic laundry machines have improved home laundering conditions in general, some manner of conditioning and softening water is a necessity to obtain best results in many localities where Well or artesian water constitutes the only supply. Obviously, it is extremely difficult to produce the required suds when only hard water is available.

Numerous attempts have been made in the past to improve washing conditions in localities having hard water by providing wash machines with manually-operated water-softening devices having a base exchange material such as zeolite.

For all practical purposes, such water softeners or conditioners had to be designed to meet the water-softening requirements for an entire washing so that the operator did not have to wait around while the conditioner was regenerated between the diiferent batches of clothes washed in the machine, although regeneration over a considerable period of time was still required either at the start or after finishing washing.

The size of such conditioners, therefore, made the same impractical from the standpoint of cost as well as appearance, for they were generally secured to the outside of the wash machine.

Probably the most serious objection to past installations of water conditioners of this type arose because of the considerable amount of time required to regenerate the conditioner, which, when used with automatic laundry machines, was restricted to a period either at the beginning or end of the entire wash. Such regenerating periods are necessary because of the fact that automatic type wash machines require Water for a number of wash and rinse operations during a single wash cycle, and regeneration during any part of these operations was thus impossible.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an automatic type home laundry machine with Water conditioning means designed to permit regeneration of its base exchange material during operation of the machine and without interfering with the operation of the machine.

This invention further contemplates the incorporation of a water-conditioning apparatus in an automatic type home laundry machine in a manner such that the same timer control for the cnoventional instrumentalities with which the machine is equipped may be used to obtain automatic operation and regeneration of the water conditioner during the operation of the machine and. without interfering with the same.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic type home laundry machine of the character described with a water conditioner of a size large enough to accommodate only a single batch of wash to enable reduction in the size of the conditioner and to enable establishment of the practice of charging the same with salt for regeneration once during each wash cycle much in the same manner as the operator adds soap to the machine before washing is commenced.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a water-conditioning apparatus for automatic type home laundry machines so designed as to be operated automatically by the control mechanism with which the machine is equipped so that extensive alteration to the machine is unnecessary.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic home laundry machine of the character described with a water conditioner of a size requiring regeneration once for each batch of clothes washed and which has its discharge controlled automatically by the timing means with which the machine is equipped so as to enable discharge of water directly to the receptacle of the machine or to a drain exteriorly of the machine during regeneration at the dictation of the timing means.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate several complete examples of the physical embodiment of the invention constructed in accordance with the best modes so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an automatic type home laundry machine illustrating one application of this invention thereto;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating the application of another embodiment of this invention to an automatic type home laundry machine;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view similar to Figure 2 illustrating a slightly modified embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view similar to Figure 1 illustrating a still further modified embodiment of the invention.

Referring now particularly to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral 5 diagrammatically illustrates an automatic home laundry washing machine of the Bendix type such as forms the subject matter of the Chamberlin et a1. Patent No. 2,165,884, dated July 11, 1939. This type of machine has been chosen for illustration, although it is to be understod that automatic laundry machines of any other type are as well suited for the purposes of this invention.

In the Bendix type machine illustrated, a clothes receptacle 6 formed as a perforated drum is mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis within the outer housing 1 of the machine, and is driven by means of a motor 8 having two difierent speeds of operation; a low speed for agitation during the washing operation, and a high speed for spinning the clothes receptacle and extracting the water from the clothes by centrifugal force.

All such automatic machines are equipped with a timing device In usually driven by a clock or Telechron motor (not shown) and having a group of movable contacts I I individually brought into engagement with a group of stationary contacts l2 as the clock motor operates to complete electric circuits to the motor and to the various other instrumentalities of the machine which in the present instance are electromagnetically actuated.

Thus upon initial manual setting of the timer one set of contacts thereof will be engaged to complete a circuit to the motor 8 connecting the same for low speed operation and agitation of the clothes receptacle for the wash operation.

Water for washing is introduced into the machine through an inlet port l3 therein customarily connected to a source of water such as the taps l4 and I5 for cold and hot water respectively, through a mixer l6.

Extending between the port l3 and the mixer l 6 is a water supply line I I having the customary solenoid actuated water inlet valve I 8 therein.

and the inlet of a pump 20 driven by the motor 8.

A drain Valve 2| is positioned in the drain line and is also provided with a solenoid to actuate the same to open position upon engagement of a third set of contacts of the timer l0. When the solenoid is tie-energized, the drain valve remains closed.

The outlet of the pump is connected by means of a hose 22 with a drain such as the stationary tubs 23 illustrated. Flexible hose lines 24 preferably connect the taps l4 and I5 with the mixer I6.

The water conditioner 25 of this invention is connected in the water supply line I! between the valve l3 and the inlet port [3 so that all water flowing through the valve passes through the conditioner. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the discharge end of the conditioner 25 has a duct 26 extending between it and the port l3 and in which a two-position electromagnetic diverter valve 21 is located. This valve comprises a plunger 28 having its lower end pointed to engage and close a seat 29 on the valve when its coil 28' is de-energized, and its upper end pointed and engageable with a seat 30 on the valve during energization of the coil 28' to shut ofi communication between the discharge of the conditioner and a brine outlet duct 3| which may lead to a drain such as the stationary tub 23.

When the plunger 28 is in its raised position,

\ communication is established between the outlet of the conditioner and the interior of the machine so that conditioned Water may be delivered thereto. The electromagnetically operated valve 21, therefore, permits regeneration of the Zeolite contained in the water conditioner by closing ofi the entrance to the port l3 when the plug is in its lower position and permits the salt eflluent to be diverted and discharged to the drain.

It is one of the features of this invention that such regeneration be accomplished automatically at the dictation of the conventional timer common to automatic home laundry machines. I

All that is required for automatic operation of the water conditioner is an additional set of contacts on the timer to control energization of the coil 28' of the valve 21, which contacts comprise one stationary contact and one movable contact driven by the clock motor.

For regeneration, the water conditioner is provided with a salt chamber, not shown, positioned between the inlet and outlet of the conditioner and to which access may be had by raising a cover 32 at the top of the conditioner.

The conditioner 25 has not been illustrated in detail as its construction forms no part of this invention. Reference may be had to a similar conditioner, however, in the co-pending application of Austin Gudmundsen for Water softener, Serial No. 278,181, filed June 9, 1939.

For the purposes of this invention it will sufiice to state that the conditioner is of a comparatively small capacity, being only large enough to condition all the water needed by automatic type machines during a complete wash cycle. A conditioner of such size would require only from six to ten minutes time for regeneration, and as various wash periods of the cycle during which water is not demanded require greater periods of time, it follows that regeneration may be made to take place during any operation of th machine in which water will not be needed for a period of from six to ten minutes duration. Obviously, the conditioner is designed to soften a quantity of water of the hardest nature necessary for a complete Wash cycle.

The operation for the embodiment of the inventionillustrated in Figure 1 is controlled entirely by the timer so that upon engagement of different sets of contacts thereof at predetermined intervals throughout the operation of the timer, the various washing operations including regeneration of the water conditioner are successively and automatically carried out and together constitute a complete work cycle, the end of which is determined by the timer.

To wash a batch of clothes, therefore, the clothes are first inserted in the machine through an opening, not shown, at the front thereof and which is usually closed by a Water-tight door. The timing device is then manually set by the operator to the wash position to initiate a wash cycle. The initial setting of the timing device engages one of its movable contacts with one of the stationary contacts to complete an electric circuit to the motor 8 for low speed operation which thereupon revolves or agitates the perforated drum 6 and consequently the clothes therein.

Setting of the timer to wash position also effects engagement of two other sets of contacts to complete electric circuits to the solenoids of the water inlet valve I8, and the electromagnetic valve 21.

The circuit to the solenoid of the Water inlet valve l8, however, is completed through the closed contacts 33 of a float 34 positioned to be influenced by the rising level of water in the interior of the machine. The float 34 is conventional on automatic type home laundry machines,

and in the Bendix machine is located exteriorly of the drum 6.

Energization of the solenoid of the water inlet valve l8 causes the valve to open, and tempered water is permitted to flow through the inlet line I! and the zeolite body of the conditioner and through the duct 26 and the valve 21 into the interior of the machine through the port l3. Inasmuch as the plunger 28 of the valve 21 is now in its raised position, the upper end of the plunger will be engaged with the seat 30 to close off communication between the discharge of the conditioner and the drain duct 3 I Conditioned water then continues to flow into the interior of the machine until the risin level thereof actuates the float to open the contacts 33. Inasmuch as the float is positioned to break the circuit to the solenoid of the valve I8 when .Water is at the proper level within the machine,

it follows that soap may then be added through the soap door at the top of the machine and actual washing commenced.

At the time of adding soap to the machine, the operator removes the cover 32 of the water conditioner 25 and fills the receptacle therein with salt if regeneration is to be accomplished during the ten to twenty minute wash period to follow.

The timing device I0 thereafter controls the operation of the machine throughout the successive wash periods automatically and the services of the operator are not required.

Although the energizing circuit for the solenoid af the water inlet valve I8 is broken by the float, the contacts of the timer which control energization of the valve l8 are preferably disengaged shortly after opening of the float contacts 33, and at the same time or directly thereafter, the set of contacts controlling energization of the coil of the electromagnetic diverter valve 21 are disengaged to set the conditioner for regeneration by connecting the discharge of the conditioner with the drain exteriorly of the machine.

Inasmuch as regeneration requires a minimum of six minutes, and preferably ten minutes time, depending partly upon the hardness of the Water used, it has been found convenient to effect such regeneration of the conditioner during the initial wash period which may range from ten to twenty minutes depending upon the initial setting of the timer by the operator.

During this initial wash period, therefore, preferably about ten minutes before the end of agi tation in the suds water, the set of timer contacts which control energization of the coil of the water inlet valve I8 are caused to re-engage to again energize the coil and permit the valve to open. However, inasmuch as the float switch is open at this time, an additional electromagnetic by-pass switch 36 is employed to complete the energizing circuit to the valve Hi. The switch 36 has its coil connected in parallel with the coil 28 of the diverter valve 21, and has a contactor 31 adapted to bridge a pair of contacts 38 connected in parallel with the float contacts 33.

When the contacts 38 are bridged in this manner, an electric circuit is established through the re-engaged contacts of the timer for the solenoid of the inlet valve l8, and through the contacts 38 which are now in series therewith to effect opening of the inlet valve l8 permitting water to flow to the conditioner which has previously been charged with salt for regeneration of its zeolite body.

The brine effluent is then diverted by means of the valve 21 and flows to a drain through the duct 3|. If desired, the duct 3| may be of less size than the inlet line I! to restrict the flow of brine therethrough to thereby enable gradual regeneration over a substantially long period of time, preferably about ten minutes.

At the end of regeneration and substantially at the end of the wash period, the timer contacts which control energization of the solenoid of the water inlet valve l8 separate to de-energize the solenoid causing the valve to close. Regeneration of the water conditioner thus ceases.

A fourth set of contacts of the timer ID are then engaged thereby to complete an electric circuit to the solenoid of the drain valve 2| opening the same and enabling the pump 20 to remove the suds water from the machine and to discharge the same through the hose 22 to the drain.

While the suds water is caused to completely empty from the machine by the pump, again closing the contacts 33 of the float, it is to be appreciated that re-energization of the solenoid of the water inlet valve l8 will not take place inas much as the contacts of the timer governing the same are maintained separated at this time. The contacts of the timer governing operation of the motor, however, are maintained engaged and agitation continues for a brief interval after the suds water is pumped out to drive out as much surface suds water from the clothes as possible.

After the brief period of agitation with the Water emptied from the machine, the water inlet valve contacts of the timer are again brought into engagement thereby to complete the circuit to the solenoid of the valve l8 through the now closed float contacts 33, thereby opening the Water inlet valve.

Also at this time, the timer contacts controlling energization of the coil of the electromagnetic diverter valve 21 are re-engaged to close off the drain 3| and to permit water flowing through the inlet valve l8 and the conditioner to discharge into the interior of the machine through the port l3. The switch 36 is consequently opened at this time, as its coil is in parallel with the coil 28 of the diverter valve 21, and controlled by the same timer contacts.

As conditioned water continues to fill the tub of the machine, the rising level thereof raises the float 34 to effect de-energization of the solenoid of the inlet valve l8 thereby closing oif the supply of water.

The contacts of the timer which control the energization of the coil of the electromagnetic valve 21 may then be caused to separate to effect de-energization of the coil 28' of the diverter valve 21 so as to prevent overheating of the coil.

The contacts of the timer which control connection of the motor with its source of current are still maintained in engagement so that agitation continues for about five minutes in the first rinse water and due to the softened condition of the water a moderate suds is developed effecting a desirable additional cleansing of the clothes.

At the end of the five-minute agitation period as determinedby the timer, the contacts thereof which control energization of the drain valve solenoid are engaged to complete the circuit thereto so as to open the valve.

The first rinse water is then pumped out by means of the pump. After the rinse water has been pumped out in this manner, the timer through its remaining set of contacts completes a circuit through a motor speed controller device 39 which effects reconnection of the motor windings with the source of current to produce highspeed operation of the motor for the spin-dry period.

Inasmuch as this high-speed operation of the motor revolves the perforated drum 6 at high speed, the water is expelled from the clothes therein by centrifugal force, and removed by the pump. This spin-dry operation continues for a period of about five minutes after which the timer re-connects the motor for low-speed operation and the perforated drum is again caused to agitate in the normal manner.

The timer then functions to again complete the circuit to the solenoid of the inlet valve [8 through the now closed contacts 33 of the float opening the water inlet valve and permitting the second conditioned rinse water to flow into the machine through the conditioner. Substantially simultaneously with the reopening of the water inlet valve to admit the second rinse water into the machine, the solenoid of the drain valve 2| is de-energized by separation of its governing set of contacts on the timer, and the timer contacts governing the electromagnetic switch 36 and valve 21 are reengaged to establish communication between the discharge of the conditioner and the tub of the machine.

Again, the rising level of water in the machine actuates the float to effect deenergization of the solenoid of the inlet valve so as to close the valve,

and the coils of the diverter valve 21 and the inlet valve l8 are preferably shortly thereafter again de-energized by separation of their timer contacts.

Normal agitation continues at the dictation of the timer in the second rinse water for about three minutes. The drain valve solenoid is then re-energized by means of the timer in the customary manner to efiect opening of the drain and to allow the pump to remove the second rinse water from the machine.

As the water is being removed in this manner, the timing device again functions to reconnect the motor windings with the source of current for high-speed spin-dry operation of the drum for a period of about fifteen minutes or until all surface moisture is removed from the clothes.

At the completion of the spin-dry operation as determined by the timer, all of the circuits to all of the control instrumentalities are broken by the timer and the machine is completely shut down.

One complete wash cycle has thus been carried out in an automatic manner including regeneration of the water conditioner, and the machine is ready for the next batch of clothes after removal of the washed clothes therein. Clothes to be washed may then be placed in the machine and a new wash cycle started by manually setting the timer to wash position, and the various wash operations will again be carried out automatically, including regeneration of the conditioner.

Inasmuch as salt is preferably placed in the salt receptacle of the conditioner at the time soap is added to each batch of clothes in the machine, charging of the conditioner for regeneration soon becomes a habit due to its association with the soap adding operation, and therefore is not disagreeable to the operator.

The automatic operation of the conditioner and the feature of regeneration during the operation j of the machine without interfering therewith completely overcomes the disagreeable aspects of previous attempts to provide wash machines with water conditioners, some of which were made large enough to soften a quantity of water sufficient for the entire wash, while other smaller units required regeneration between batches of wash. In either case, the attention of the operator was required for regeneration for substantial periods of time, during which washing operations were necessarily suspended.

Inasmuch as the conditioner of this invention is designed to be automatically regenerated once during washing of each batch of clothes, a considerable reduction in its size is made possible and its association with the laundry machine will not produce a distasteful appearance. If desired, the conditioner may be mounted within the machine and access had thereto by means of a door. a

In the embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figure 2, a separate salt pct 40 is provided, mounted preferably near the top of the machine at the back so as to be readily accessible to the operator. The addition of a separate salt pot thus more readily enables mounting of the small water conditioner within the interior of the laundry machine as will be apparent, and further improves the appearance of the machine.

As clearly illustrated in Figure 2, the salt pot has its inlet connected by means of a duct 4! with the cold water supply line 42 between the mixer I6 and the tap [4. The discharge of the salt pot is connected by means of a pipe 43 with the water supply line H between the inlet valve l8 and the water conditioner 25.

The inlet line 4| of the salt pot has a solenoid actuated valve 44 therein, energization of which to open the same is governed by the additional set of contacts on the timer l0. Thus when it is desired to regenerate the conditioner, it is only necessary that the set of contacts of the timer controlling energization of the solenoid of the valve 44 be brought into engagement to complete an energizing circuit thereto, opening the valve and permitting cold water for regeneration to flow through the salt pot and carry salt in solution therewith through the body of zeolite in the conditioner 25 to be discharged through the duct 3| to the drain.

Thus regeneration may take place independently of-the water inlet valve [8 and the timer has its contacts set accordingly.

Since regeneration in this embodiment of the invention is independent of the water inlet valve l8, the coils of the valve 18 and the diverter valve 21 may be controlled by a single set of timer contacts as is apparent, for both valves are operated whenever water to fill the machine is required.

In this embodiment, also, either the lines 4|, 43 or 3| may be restricted so that regeneration consumes up to a maximum of ten minutes time or the valve 44 may aiford the restriction necessary for a reduced rate of flow for regeneration. A check valve 45 in the discharge line 43 for the salt pot prevents water from backing up into the salt container.

The operation of the device of Figure 2 is in all other respects the same as that described in connection with Figure 1, it being understood that the regenerating valve 44 amounts to the equivalent of the switch 36 connected in parallel with the coil of the electromagnetically operated valve 21.

In this embodiment of the invention, regeneration may take place at any time at the dictation of the timer when there is no demand for water for approximately six to ten minutes. Thus regeneration may be set by the timer to take place during the initial washing operation as in the previous embodiment or during the eight to twelve minute period after the first rinse water is admitted into the machine and during which time the clothes are soaked in the rinse water, the water pumped away, and the spin-out of the first rinse completed.

Regeneration may also take place in the period after the second rinse water is admitted into the machine, the clothes soaked therein, the water subsequently pumped away, and the final spindry operation completed. This period may normally require twelve to twenty minutes time thus permitting a slower regeneration of the conditioner which may be desirable in some instances.

It is also to be understood that regeneration in this embodiment may take place automatically at the end of the laundering cycle if desired.

In the two previous modifications described, a brine diverter valve has been employed by means of which water in a conditioned state may flow from the conditioner into the tub of the machine, or salt effluent discharged to a drain.

Figure 3 shows a still further modified embodiment of the invention similar to Figure 2 in that it employs a separate salt pot but in which the diverter valve is eliminated.

In this instance, a duct 46 may extend from a point in the discharge line 26 adjacent to the discharge of the conditioner to the drain duct l9 between the outer shell of the machine and the solenoid actuated drain valve 2|. Either the inlet and outlet lines 4| and 43 for the salt pot, or the valve 44 may be restricted to reduce the rate at which water for regeneration flows through the conditioner, while the duct 45 is preferably of as small a diameter as possible without restricting the brine flow therethrough.

In this embodiment of the invention, the port I3 is located substantially above the discharge of the conditioner so as to preclude the flow of brine into the machine during regeneration. Re-

generation with the arrangement of this embodiment of the invention is of course restricted to periods when water is not being maintained in the machine by the drain valve 2|.

In the case of the Bendix machine, regeneration could be ideally arranged by the timer to take place during the draining out period of the final rinse water and throughout the final spindry operation which consumes from twelve to twenty minutes time.

In this embodiment of the invention, as in the embodiment previously discussed, the conditioner is preferably mounted inside the machine while the salt pot at the top and rear thereof is conveniently located for charging with salt. The conditioner also has an unrestricted discharge line at all times insuring a minimum of pressure in the system both during operation and during regeneration.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 4 is similar to that of Figure 1 in that the salt receptacle is contained within the conditioner itself, but also eliminates the diverter valve and employs the branch duct 46 as in the embodiment of Figure 3 connected between the conditioner discharge and the drain pipe between the drain valve 2| and the outer shell of the machine. In this form of the invention as in Figure 1, the conditioner is preferably mounted near the top of the machine at the back thereof to enable ready charging with salt.

This embodiment, however, also employs a regenerating valve 44 having its inlet connected with the cold water supply line 42 ahead of the mixer I6 and its outlet connected with the water supply line I! at the outlet side of the water inlet valve 18. This regenerating valve is controlled by the timer in the same manner as the regenerating valves of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

One period at which regeneration may take place in this embodiment of the invention is at the conclusion of the wash period during the time that the drain valve 2| is open and the suds water is being pumped out and which must be set to consume from six to ten minutes time. Salt would then be charged into the conditioner at the time of adding soap, as in the embodiment of Figure 1. Other periods would be either during the final spin-dry operation or at the conclusion of the wash cycle when the time for regeneration can be independent of the wash cycle of the machine and can be made subject to setting of the timer by the operator. In these latter cases, salt may be charged any time after the last conditioned rinse water has been admitted to the machine.

While the various valves which control the operation of the machine have been illustrated as electromagnetically actuated, it will be understood that these valves could as well be actuated by suitably timed cams to efiect opening and closing thereof at the proper periods throughout the wash cycle.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention provides a particularly useful water-conditioning system for home laundry machines of the automatic type, the operation of which is entirely automatic, except for the manual addition of salt for regeneration thereof.

It will be apparent that the water-conditioning system may be readily governed by the existing controls with which automatic home laundry machines are provided with a minimum of alteration to such controls.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In combination with a laundry machine of the automatic type having a valve for connecting the clothes receptacle of the machine with a source of water and having timing means for automatically controlling the operation of said valve so that filling of the machine with water is automatically effected by said timing means: a w softening rlevice having its inlet connected with mutlet of the valve; and means connected with the outlet of the water softening device and under the control of said timing means to be automatically operated thereby for effecting the selective delivery of water issuing from the water softening device to'the clothes receptacle of the machine or to a drain exteriorly of the clothes receptacle.

2. In combination with a laundry machine of the automatic type having a valve for connecting the clothes receptacle of the machine with a source of water and having timing means for automatically controlling the operation of said valve so that filling of the machine with water is automatically effected by said timing means: a water-softening device having its inlet connected with the outlet of the valve so that water flowing through the valve passes into the water softening device; a duct for connecting the outlet of the water softening device with the clothes receptacle of the machine to deliver softened water from the water-softening device thereto; and means assoc ated witlrsaid'fiuct for disrupting the connection of the water-softening device with the clothes receptacle of the machine to thereby enable the flow of regenerating fluid from the Water-softening device to be diverted to a drain exteriorly of the clothes receptacle of the machine during regeneration of the Water-softening device.

3. In combination with a laundry machine of the automatic type having instrumentalities controlled by timing means which function to automatically operate the machine throughout a number of successive work periods constituting a complete laundry cycle: means for delivering softened water to the clothes receptacle of said machine including a pipe line connectible with a source of water, a water-softening device connected in said line, and a Valve in said pipe line between the source of water and the water-softening device, actuation of the valve being controlled by said timing means at predetermined intervals in the laundry cycle; and means connected with the outlet of the Water-softening device and under the control of sal 1ming means to be automatically operated thereby during one of said work periods for diverting the fiow of Water from the water-softening device to a drain exteriorly of the clothes receptacle of the machine to permit regeneration of the watersoftening device during said work period.

4. In combination with a laundry machine of the automatic type having a valve for connecting the clothes receptacle of the machine with a source of water and having timing means for automatically controlling the operation of said valve so that filling of the clothes receptacle with water is automatically effected by said timing means: a Water-softening device having its inlet connected with the outlet of the valve; a duct for connecting the outlet of the watersoftening device with the clothes receptacle of the machine to deliver softened water from the Water-softening device thereto; and a two-position diverter valve in said duct under the control of said timing means, said diverter valve being operable in one position to permit the fiow of Water frogi the water-softe n i n g device to the clothes receptacfiofitheirfibhinef and operable in its other position to divert the flow of water issuing from the water-softening device away from the clothes receptacle to thereby enable regeneration of the water-softening device.

5. In combination with an automatic type laundry machine" having electrically operated instrumentalities rendered effective by timing means for automatically operating the machine throughout a complete laundry cycle: a watersoftening device having its inlet connected with a source of water and its outlet connected with the wash receptacle of the machine; said electrically operated instrumentalities including a valve for controlling the fiow of water to the softening device, said valve being rendered operative by said timing means at predetermined intervals during the laundry cycle to permit the flow of water to thwals en sg f te iirwe; and electrorespo'nsive means under the control of said timing means for diverting the flow of water from the outlet of the water-softening device to a drain exteriorly of the clothes receptacle of the machine during one portion of a laundry cycle at the dictation of said timing means to permit regeneration of the water-softening device.

6. In combination with a laundry machine of the automatic type having a laundry cycle requiring filling and draining of the clothes receptacle thereof of water at various intervals in the cycle, and having instrumentalities governed by timing means for automatically controlling said operations throughout the laundry cycle of the machine: a water-softening device having a capacity such as to condition an amount of water sufficient to fill the clothes receptacle a predetermined number of times and to thereafter require regeneration of its base exchange material, W-SOItQnlng device having an inlet connected W1 murce of water through one of said instrumentalities; and means under the control of said timing means for connecting the outlet of the water-softening device with the clothes receptacle so that softened water is delivered thereto in accordance with a demand therefor in the laundry cycle, said last-named means including a diverter valve operable at the dictation of the timing means to disconnect the outlet of the Water-softening device from the clothes receptacle of the washer to permit the eiiluent to drain exteriorly of the clothes recep tacle during regeneration of the base exchange material of the softening device.

7. In combination with a laundry machine having instrumentalities controlled by timing means for automatically operating the laundry machine through a plurality of sequential work periods constituting a complete laundry cycle: means for supplying water to the clothes receptacle of the machine including a pipe line having a valve therein the operation of which is controlled automatically by said timing means,

1 the inle V W connected in said supply me on the outlet side of said valve, and a duct for connecting the outlet of the watersoftening device with the clothes receptacle of the machine; said water-softening device having a base exchange material requiring regeneration during one of said work periods of the laundry cycle at which water to fill the tub is not demanded by the timing means; and means in the duct at the outlet of the water-softening device rendered operative by said timing means for diverting the flow of water from the softening device during said work period to a drain exteriorly of the clothes receptacle of the machine to permit regeneration of the base exchangematerial of the softening device.

8. In a laundry machine of the type in which a plurality of sequential work periods are controlled by timing means automatically governing the start and duration of the work periods:

whcondithmngmdevice having its outlet connected with the c es receptacle of the machine and its inlet connectible with a water supply line, said water-conditioning device requiring frequent regeneration of its base exchange material; and means connected with the outlet of the water-conditioning device rendered operative by said timing means during one work period of a laundry cycle for diverting the flow of Water issuing from the water-conditioning device to a drain exteriorly of the clothes receptacle of the machine to permit regeneration of the water-conditioning device during said work period.

9. In combination with a laundry machine having a plurality of sequential automatically controlled work periods constituting a laundry cycle: timing means for determining the start and duration of said work periods throughout the laundry cycle; a water supply line for supplying water to the clothes receptacle of the machine; a water inlet valve in the supply line governed by said timing means to be rendered operative thereby at certain periods of the laundry cycle to pass water from a source through the supply line to the clothes receptacle; a water-softening device in said supply line between d the clothes receptacle and acting on the water flowing therethrough to soften the same; a salt pot separate from the water-softening device having its inlet connected with said supply line at the inlet side of the inlet valve and its outlet connected with said supply line at the outlet side of the inlet valve; a regenerating valve for controlling the flow of water through the salt pot, said regenerating valve being rendered operative by said timing means during one of said automatically controlled periods at which the water inlet valve is maintained closed to permit water to pass through the salt pot and into the water-softening device to regenerate the same; and means connecting with the water supply line between the water-softening device and the clothes receptacle and rendered operative by said timing means for diverting the flow of water issuing from the water-softening device during said period in which water flows into the Water-softening device through the salt pot to permit regeneration of the water-softening device and discharge of the efliuent thereof exteriorly of the clothes receptacle of the machine.

10. In combination with a laundry machin having a valve in the supply line connecting the tub of the machine with a source of water and 10 tween the water supply valve and the tub; a

regenerating salt receptacle having its inlet connected to the water supply line at the inlet side of the water inlet valve and its outlet connected with the water supply line at the outlet side of the water inlet valve; another valve controlled by said timing means for governing the flow of water through said regenerating salt receptacle; and a duct connecting the outlet of the watersoftening device with the tub drain between the drain valve therefor and the tub, said drain valve and the valve controlling passage of water through the regenerating salt receptacle being actuated substantially in unison during one period of the laundry cycle when water to fill the tub is not required and said water inlet valve is maintained closed by the timing means to effect a flow of water from the inlet line through the regenerating salt receptacle and the base exchange material of the water-softening device to said drain to be discharged by means of the P p- 11. In combination with a laundry machine having a plurality of sequential automatically controlled work periods constituting a laundry cycle: timing means for determining the start and duration of said work periods throughout the laundry cycle; a wa oftening device; a duct connecting the 1 et of sai ter sbftening device with a source of water; a pipe line leading from the discharge of the water-softening device upwardly to a level higher than said discharge and connected with the clothes receptacle of the machine to direct conditioned Water thereinto during filling of the machine; a water inlet valve in the duct leading to the inlet of the water-softening device, said valve being rendered operative at certain work periods by the timing means to permit water to flow from the source to the clothes receptacle through said watersoftening device; a motor-driven pump maintained in operation by said timing means during said laundry cycle; a drain line connecting the inlet of the pump with the clothes receptacle so that water may be pumped therefrom to empty the same; a drain valve in said drain line controlled by the timing means to open at predetermined periods of the laundry cycle and permit water to be pumped from the clothes receptacle; a branch line connected between the discharge of the water-softening device and the drain line at a point therein between the drain valve and the tub, Water for filling the tub being prevented from passing through the drain line to the pump by said drain valve; a receptacle adapted to hold a supply of a regenerating medium; an inlet pipe for said receptacle connected with the water supply duct at the inlet side of the water inlet valve therein; a discharge pipe for conducting water flowing through the receptacle from the water supply line back to the water supply line at a point therein at the discharge side of the water inlet valve; and a regenerating valve in the pipe line leading to the regenerating receptacle rendered operative by said timing means during a predetermined work period in the cycle when the water inlet valve is maintained closed by the timing means to permit water to flow through the regenerating receptacle to carry the regenerating medium therewith through the body of the water-softening device, said drain valve being maintained in open position during said predetermined work period by the timing means to permit the efiluent from the watersoftening device to flow through the drain valve and to be discharged by the pump.

12. In combination with a laundry machine having a plurality of sequential automatically controlled work periods constituting a laundry cycle: timing means for determining the start and duration of said work periods throughout the laundry cycle; a water-softening device; a duct connecting the inlet of said water-softening device with a source of water; a pipe line leading from the discharge of W- ing device upwardly to a level high a said mharge and connected with the clothes receptacle of the machine to direct conditioned water thereto during filling of the machine; a water inlet valve in the duct leading to the inlet of the water-softening device, said valve being rendered operative at certain work periods by the timing means to permit water to flow from the source to the clothes receptacle through said water-softening device; a motor-driven pump maintained in operation by said timing means during said laundry cycle; a drain line connecting the inlet of the pump with the clothes receptacle so that water may be pumped therefrom to empty the same; a drain valve in said drain line controlled by the timing means to open at predetermined periods of the laundry cycle and permit water to be pumped from the clothes receptacle; a branch line connecting the discharge of gie,water-soit@siidgvg;zvfiie with the drain line ;on the machine e valve therein, water for filling the clothes receptacle being prevented from passing through the drain line to the pump by said drain valve; a restricted duct having one end connected with a source of water ahead of the water inlet valve and its other end connected with said water supply duct at the discharge side of the water inlet valve so as to provide a restricted by-pass around said water inlet valve: and a valve in said restricted duct operated to open position by said timing means for a predetermined period of time at least once during the laundry cycle to enable regeneration of the water-softening device, the water inlet valve being maintained closed by the timing device and the drain valve being maintained open thereby during such regenerating period to permit water to flow through the softening device and the branch line to the inlet of the pump, said restricted duct retarding the flow of water through the watersoftening device during regeneration to a rate slower than that normally flowing therethrough at all other work periods when water to fill the clothes receptacle is required.

13. In combination with a laundry machine having instrumentalities controlled by timing means for automatically operating the machine through a plurality of sequential work periods constituting a complete laundry cycle, said instrumentalities including v'alved water supply and drain pipes connected with the tub of the machine for respectively filling and draining the tub at the dictation of said timing means: a wate -softening device connected in the water sup- MUCH Water flowing through the water supply valve to the tub; and a duct for connnecting the discharge of the water-softening device with the drain pipe on the tub side of the drain valve; a portion of the water supply pipe leading from the discharge of the watersoftening device extending upwardly therefrom to deliver conditioned water to the machine at the dictation of the timing means through the valved water supply pipe during at least one work period of the laundry cycle at which the drain valve is maintained closed by the timing means; and said duct being operable to divert water flowing through water-softening device to the exterior of th machine through said drain valve and pipe at the dictation of the timing means during another work period of the laundry cycle.

14. In combination with a laundry machine having instrumentalities controlled by timing means for automatically operating the machine through a plurality of sequential work periods constituting a complete laundry cycle, said instrumentalities including valved water supply conduit means rendered operative to fill the tub of the machine at the dictation of said timing means: a water-softening device connected in said water supply conduit means on the tub side of the valve of said supply conduit means to condition water flowing to the tub; duct means connecting with the outlet of the water-softening device; and means in said duct means controlled by said timing means and cooperating with said duct means in one position of the valve thereof to divert the flow of water issuing from the outlet of the water-softening device to a drain exteriorly of the machine through said duct means during one work period of the laundry cycle.

15. In combination with a laundry machine of the automatic type in which clothes in the machine are subjected to a number of successive operations constituting a complete laundry cycle: a water conditioner having a capacity such as to soften all the water required by the machinebetweendilie operations of successive laundry cycles and to thereafter require regeneration of its base exchange material by the flowing of brine therethrough, s aid, yv a ter r :gn litioner having an inlet and an outlet; means forconnecting the inlet of the water conditioner with a source of water for washing including an electroresponsive valve adapted to be opened when connected with a source of current to permit water for washing to flow into the inlet of the water conditioner; duct means for connecting the outlet of the water conditioner with the tub of the machine and with a drain exteriorly of the machine; a two-position electroresponsive valve in said duct means operable in one position to permit conditioned water for washing to fiow from the outlet of the water conditioner to the tub of the machine through said duct means, the duct means and said last-named valve cooperating in the other position of said last-named valve to effect diversion of the flow of water from the outlet of the water conditioner to said drain exteriorly of the machine so as to enable regeneration of the water conditioner with brine; and control means for governing connection of said electroresponsive valves with a source of current throughout the laundry cycle, said control means operating to effect movement of said last-designated volve to its position effecting diversion of the flow of water from the outlet of the water conditioner to said drain at least once between like operations of successive laundry cycles.

16. In combination with a laundry machine having a plurality of sequential work periods ,fiow of water through the inlet pipe; a water sgjtegjniadevice connected in the inletp'lpe so that wa flowing to the tub of the machine passes through the water softening device to be treated thereby; duct means connecting with the water inlet pipe at the discharge side of the water-softening device for directing water from the discharge of the water softening device to a drain exteriorly of the machine; a drain valve in said duct means controlled by said timing means for preventing discharge of the water issuing from the water softening device to the drain in the closed position of said valve; a by-pass duct having one end connected to the cold water supply line ahead of the valves in the inlet pipe and its other end connected with said inlet pipe at the discharge side of the control valve therein; and a valve in said by-pass duct actuated to open position by said timing means for a predetermined period of time at least once during each laundry cycle to enable regeneration of the water softening device, the control valve of the Water inlet pipe being maintained closed and the valve of said duct means being maintained open by the timing means during such regenerating period to permit water to flow through the softening device to a drain exteriorly of the machine through the duct means.

AUSTIN GUDMUNDSEN. 

